Summer/Fall Class Formats Announced

May 5, 2020

Given the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 and how open or not the state of California may be in the months to come, Lake Tahoe Community College has announced its Summer and Fall quarter class formats that will allow high-quality education to continue in the safest manner possible.

For the next two quarters, LTCC will primarily offer students online and formerly face-to-face classes moved to a virtual format to allow learning to happen safely from anywhere. Some public safety courses that require hands-on work will be provided in a hybrid format, with online learning complemented by small-group experiences conducted with physical distancing measures in place. This will allow future front-line firefighters, EMTs and health workers to graduate and serve California quickly.

“We just don’t know what level of ‘open’ our community, state, and country might be operating in this summer and fall,” said LTCC Superintendent/President Jeff DeFranco. “We don’t know if a second wave of the virus may come our way. That’s a lot of uncertainty to deal with, but especially for our students who already have significant uncertainty in their lives. Providing them with a clear plan right now that they can count on gives them stability and purpose, and ensures they have a safe learning environment no matter what happens with the virus.”

It is not clear yet if face-to-face (F2F) classes can safely be held on LTCC’s campus this summer and fall. In order to allow learning to continue, LTCC will provide classes primarily in three ways: as existing Distance Education (DE) classes, as Enhanced Virtual Education (EVE) classes, or as hybrids that mix online and mandatory F2F elements. DE classes are simply online classes that have been designed and offered that way before. EVE classes are formerly F2F offerings that have been redesigned for a virtual environment. They incorporate many elements of F2F classes, such as interactive discussion, use of video for visual learners, and significant faculty presence during set times, like in a traditional classroom. Hybrid classes may have to be canceled depending on current state public health guidance. Visit LTCC's Virtual Campus for more on these methods of learning.

With these formats in mind, LTCC’s leadership has adopted the following practices to provide a full array of Summer and Fall 2020 offerings in the safest and most predictable manner possible:

Summer 2020
All courses will be in a virtual environment with some opportunity for hybrid courses:
  • Classes scheduled in a DE format will continue that way.
  • F2F classes that can convert to EVE will be offered.
  • Some Allied Health, Fire Science, and Wilderness Education courses will be offered in a hybrid format using EVE for lectures and small groups physically distanced for required F2F components. This approach aligns with what many community colleges are already doing statewide. These are primarily public safety-related courses that lead to emergency and public health employment.
Intensive Spanish Summer Institute (ISSI)
LTCC’s popular Spanish language immersion program, being held Mon. July 27-Fri. July 31, typically brings more than 500 participants to campus. In light of current health concerns, social distancing guidelines, and a desire to plan ahead, LTCC is moving ISSI completely online this year. ISSI faculty are developing EVE options that will honor the powerful immersive language experience that is unique to the ISSI program.

 

Fall 2020
The Fall schedule will primarily consist of DE and EVE courses, with some limited hybrid options available. These will include F2F elements for certain labs that require in-person instruction, or small-group courses for Emergency Medical Technician, Fire, and other public safety classes. This is in alignment with the approach planned by many community colleges.
 
These plans are contingent on the situation regarding COVID-19 improving and the subsequent "opening" of at least some parts of the South Shore community. California Governor Gavin Newsom recently suggested that social distancing rules could be loosened within weeks if statewide hospitalization rates stabilize and if Californians continue to adhere to physical distancing requirements.
 
The date for opening up LTCC’s campus is unknown at this time. Current plans are to open campus to college employees first before bringing students back. Opening campus facilities to the general public would follow that. Some functions that are critical to the community, such as LTCC’s Child Development Center, may open before others. LTCC’s current use as a free public active virus testing site may also affect the college’s reopening.
 

LTCC’s Summer/Fall schedule will be available digitally in mid-May, so current LTCC students and graduating high school seniors can register before their Spring term is complete. Priority registration begins Tuesday, May 26. High school students and their parents can explore classes and the LTCC college experience during Virtual Senior Days on Thursday and Friday, May 28 and 29. There are still Spring quarter classes available that don’t start until May and June, and these can also be found at www.ltcc.edu/schedule.